My point is saying what I did about couch Scouts is that there is so much to know and we don’t have access to everything, ESP. player character, access to coaches and scheme/player role.
I didn’t actually give an opinion about this DT. It is a fact that he has rare physical traits. Dude is a BIG man. But it seems clear he needs coaching and that is a HUGE factor.
I don’t know if it was a reach or poor choice but I know what we all know: the Lions wanted size and they got it.
Past that I am excited to see Martin develop.
It is fine to criticize Holmes. I have no issue with that. I dislike that some folks think they know more than they know, ESP. tv analysts. The reactionary “love it/hate it on day one” is tough.
Before the draft I prepped myself not to get caught up in a guy as this is a weird draft. The Lions confirmed that by not paying attention to positional value and taking players they love. For this draft Holmes was right to eschew positional value. And I’m sitting back and observing as this draft wasn’t worth skin in the game because this is a depth draft. Good players but few excellent players.
Yeah - I thought they were looking for a true nose after giving a top 30 to Ika. This guy is really raw, but Brad saw something. McNeil seems ready to take off in year 3 as a 3T. I like the pick, mainly because I trust the villain.
Honestly, I think this is the guy we may look back at in a year or two and say, “Remember when Holmes traded up for that guy when nobody else did?” to confirm Holmes is a great GM.
If this kid can improve with coaching (which I think he will), he could be an absolute stud.
Arguably his best skill due to an extraordinary burst off the snap. Explodes out of his stance, demonstrating a burst upfield to slip gaps and the lateral agility once past the line to chase down the quarterback.
His hand use is excellent; he’s strong in the upper body and consistently swats away blockers.
…project for sure, but like these traits. In conjunction with his size, it’s what makes him most “workable”…IF he works out. May take him awhile, but I hope not. We don’t have a fantastic mentor for him on the field right now.
@JadedLionsFan - thanks for the response, man. Still a bit more to read, so I may be back.
When you have the right mental set, physical attributes, & guts, you can be coachable to your ceiling. This is something our guys are very good at.
We had too many picks. it is getting harder to make our roster. I’m all about trading up for better talent as well as trading up for future picks that are higher (theoretical better talent).
Never just snag a bunch of guys that aren’t gonna make the roster anyway.
I just trust the bald one. It’s not about → “I love every pick”…it’s that “I have no ■■■■■■■ clue what I’m talking about compared to this guy & he has proven it over & over.”
National “experts” are just guys like us.
I’m not “defending Holmes’s every move without question”…I’m just aware that there is a 99.9% chance that he knows more than message board guys.
I EXPECT him to miss on a guy every here & there…ALSO…I am aware that even a late round pick can be a very nice contributor.
When we snagged Houston, I had no MF’n clue who that guy was. Had some small attitude issues early…practice squad…I had zero idea if I would ever see him again or not… then…all of a sudden …through working with our coaches, he is an impeccable attitude, works himself into the lineup, & ties rookie record for sacks/game over 7 games.
